Cheerleading Safety

Cheerleading injuries have increased significantly in recent decades due to more difficult stunts and gymnastic skills. From 1982-1983 to 2006-2007, over half (56.3%) of catastrophic injuries in high school and college female athletes were due to cheerleading. This is largely because cheerleading routines have become more gymnastic-oriented without proper training and safety protocols. To reduce injuries, coaches need proper qualifications to teach skills safely and modify routines that have become too risky.